Boy killed in Chicago pedestrian accident allegedly caused by drunk driver

A 30-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal Chicago pedestrian accident that killed a 10-year-old boy over the Memorial Day weekend, the Examiner reported.

The defendant is charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, driving under the influence, driving under the influence with BAC above .08, disobeying a red light, driving on a suspended license, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, failure to keep in lanes, failure to reduce speed, and transportation or possession of alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle.

The boy and his 3-year-old sister had arrived at the Rogers Park home of their aunt, shortly before 6 a.m. the Saturday of the holiday weekend — their father was leaving them to report to his job as caddy at a suburban country club.

The boy was walking between the two SUVs when the drunk driver reportedly slammed into the rear of a parked SUV, pushing it into the SUV in front of it and pinning the child. The driver was arrested pending charges, according to Chicago police.

A police car was directly behind the driver when he hit the SUV. It’s unclear whether the officer had been preparing to stop the suspected drunk driver. Witnesses told ABC 7 that the driver may have been spooked by the officer coming up from behind him.

The child was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead at 7:41 a.m.

Police said the Memorial Day weekend is among the busiest time for drunk driving arrests and are using increased patrols in an effort to reduce the number of serious and fatal Chicago drunk driving accidents.

As we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, authorities are urging motorists and boaters to use extra caution through the busy holiday weekend.

The Chicago Sun-Times report is available here.

The ABC7 report is available here.

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